Challenge

Mobile devices are more common in China than desktop computers or laptops. Dr.
Yue Li, an instructor at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou,
China, is passionate about using mobile apps to teach students the power of
computer science (CS). Lectures on CS wouldn’t be enough to give students the
skills they needed – the concepts had to be tested and understood through
project-based learning.

Li saw the answer in MIT App
Inventor, an online tool for creating apps using drag-and-drop building
blocks. After establishing a stand-alone server for App Inventor in Guangzhou, so
that users in China could access the tool, Li needed to help teachers learn how
to use the technology with students and create new lesson plans. "Most teaching
material about CS comes from Western countries – but we need Chinese material,"
says Weiguang Gao, an information technology teacher at Guangzhou Baiyun Middle
School.

"When students learn how to create applications for their own phones, they
become more confident in their future."

— Dr. Yue Li, instructor at South China University of Technology

Solution

To give teachers a deeper understanding of App Inventor, Li applied for funding
from Google's CS4HS program. Hal Abelson, a professor at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and the creator of App Inventor, consulted with Li. Teaching the
basics of app development, Abelson says, can highlight CS concepts more quickly
than a standard lecture. "We like to talk about ‘apps that matter," Abelson says.
"Students can build apps that make a difference, not only for themselves, but for
their community and their country."

The CS4HS funding covered the development of a four-day master training workshop
at SCUT, in which attendees from 23 institutions from across China would learn to
train other teachers to teach CS through App Inventor. The funding also helped
Li, SCUT and Google China co-organize a nationwide App Inventor contest for
students In 2015 and 2016, the competition attracted over 3,000 entries,
including apps such as a mobile eye exam chart, a calculator, and a biology study
aid.

Student competitors in the App Inventor contest showcase their submissions.

Benefits

App development allows teachers to meet students on common ground

Since mobile devices figure prominently in students' lives, says Li, teachers who
build lessons around app development generate greater enthusiasm from students –
and at the same time, ensure that students learn CS.

Hands-on teaching helps trainers and students learn more quickly

For teachers like Weiguang Gao, getting the chance to create their own apps
during the workshop offered a solid grounding in app development and
project-based learning. "My students don't have lessons on information technology
every day," he explains. "With project-based learning, students can see results
of their lessons in just one class."

Master training spreads the benefits of workshops to more teachers

A single master trainer workshop, Abelson explains, can deliver trained
instructors to dozens of universities, generating an exponential increase in
teacher expertise and student engagement in CS. "Everyone experiences mobile apps
from the consumer standpoint – but with these workshops, apps suddenly become a
way for teachers and students to become expressive," Abelson says.

Winning students and their parents, teachers celebrate the end of the App
Inventor 2016 contest.

“With generous support from Google through the CS4HS program, we have been able
to upskill in excess of 300 primary school teachers and pre-service teachers
and 50 secondary teachers from across the south-east Queensland region. The
change in the confidence and preparedness to rollout the new Digital
Technologies curriculum has been dramatic.”

“Google's involvement in CS4HS in NZ has been a massive benefit to the country,
and every teacher I have spoken too has been extremely grateful for the
professional development made possible by Google's funding, due to the lack of
other resources in the country.”

“The [CS4HS workshop] provides a platform for the teachers to share and learn
from each other. Ultimately, motivate interest in Computer Science in K-12
Environment, to make the students comprehend the principles of computers and
sophisticated thinking of solve problems, fostering students computational
thinking, to develop their problem-solving methods and self-access to
knowledge.”

– Shaojun Qu, Hunan Normal University (CS4HS China workshop awardee)

“The [CS4HS workshop] won huge popularity with the participants as it could
better meet the needs of their day-to-day teaching practice in terms of content
and form. The goal is to achieve the idea of "Computer Science For All", which
requires the teachers to spread the knowledge and skills they acquired in the
program to their students as a whole.”

“This [CS4HS workshop] has greatly promoted the popularization of computer
education, has pushed the development of the Educational Technology Education
forward, and has helped to foster a great amount of IT talents in China.”

“Our initial CS4HS grants were instrumental in gathering critical mass to form
an operational CSTA chapter in Wisconsin. Furthermore, it laid the groundwork
for a network of CS teachers around the state to begin sharing resources,
advocating for state-level change in the capitol, and advising us at the
university level.”

– Dennis Brylow, Marquette University (CS4HS US workshop awardee)

“Over the last four years, we have seen tremendous progress in computer science
education and advocacy in New Jersey. I don't think we would have come nearly
as far if it weren't for Google's support of CS4HS and the relationships and
discussions initiated at the workshops. Thank you.”

“The response to CS professional development opportunities from Texas teachers
has been outstanding. If you provide teachers with useful, high quality
training and support teachers financially to attend, they will gladly step up
to the plate to learn these new skills. Thanks to Google for helping The
University of Texas at Austin to create this support network and build capacity
to provide CS education to every Texas student.”

– Carol L. Fletcher, University of Texas at Austin (CS4HS US workshop awardee)